Running on empty...

Friday, January 04, 2013

This week has been a major whirlwind of activity and it's still going! My diet has sucked big time but I am getting in a lot of activity - moving, cleaning the house, walking my dog & jogging a little bit and running errands and moving more of my Aunt's stuff and more cleaning, lots of laundry - doing a little of everything and my body's yelling "ouch ouch ouch".
Anyway, I found out New Year's Eve that my 84 year old Aunt was moving to a senior citizens apartment. They finally had it ready. So my cousins and I spent New Years Day - a very very long day - boxing stuff up, moving it to her apartment or taking it home with us to wash. I've done tons of laundry making sure her clothes are all clean and fresh. Run several loads of dishes in my dishwasher to get them all sparkly clean. Moved boxes of stuff from her house to the apartment. Walked to the apartment - one more excuse to walk more! Run errands - paying bills, going to places to change things over to her new address, going out to eat. Eating a potluck moving day and just grabbing food on the run. Anyway tonight will be night three in her new apartment.
My cousin took her 17 year old dog and had it put to sleep Wednesday. That was a sad day for us all. She was a good dog and had lived a long happy life. Unfortunately she was blind and having trouble just walking around. She howled and whined all day and all night. My Aunt decided she wouldn't move with her and that it was best to have her put to sleep. So while my cousin and I were running errands with my Aunt, another cousin came and got her. Needless to say when we got to the house, we cried.
That night was the first night my Aunt stayed in the new apartment. She slept a solid, uninterrupted 12 hours for the first time in God only knows how many years. She was lucky to get a couple hours of sleep every night for the last five plus years. So she was running on empty for sure. She's looking a lot better. If she didn't have the spinal stenosis that was pressing on her sciatic nerve she'd be a lot better. We all told her that we would do the work and she would just sit there and tell us what she wanted to move. The apartment is fixed up so cute and my cousins all bought her new toaster, coffeemaker, can opener and towels and all sorts of things. She also got a new mattress and box springs - probably the first new one she's had in 50 years. A friend gave her all sorts of nice furniture. My cousin's new wife, stayed at the apartment washing and decorating it and it's just so cute. I got my Aunt a new phone system so she would have a phone in the kitchen, living room and bedroom - all cordless. My son bought her a smaller microwave today and will set it up tomorrow. She's just overwhelmed and fussing at us all. It makes us all feel good knowing she's in a much safer, cleaner place now.
Tomorrow's another busy day. My Aunt gave me her kitchen table and chairs so my cousin's going to bring it over. Tonight I'm doing my laundry and some of my Aunt's so I can take it to her tomorrow. Plus I'm trying to clear out the dining room - unfortunately the laundry "room" is off the dining room in a long closet so that's a challenge. Tomorrow we're going through more of her stuff to get rid of what she doesn't want and get rid of a bunch of junk that has accumulated over the years.
Here's to the weekend! Everyone have a great one. This year is rushing by - maybe next week I'll know what day it is! LOL!
Hold yourself responsible for all your food choices and make sure to get some fitness in every single day - even if you can only do 10 minutes - just do it! That's how I started - 10 minutes and now it's all over the place depending on the day and how my right foot is holding up. Wintertime cracked heels are terrible - I have medicated creams that are medical strength to work on it but oh does it hurt to step on it by mid day.
My dog is still the walking fiend - only I've been limited on how far and long we can walk. I even managed to jog some. Woohoo I'm getting better and can run a bit further. Cold weather's hard on my asthma but I'm trying.
Take responsibility for your actions. Make some sort of fitness - walking is great - a part of your day. Get outside for 10-15 minutes a day and walk. I've read somewhere it's great for the mind, body and spirit. My doctor says it's the best thing you can do and I love to walk. Ready to hike but that's this summer. Love what you do and you'll do it automatically.
Love and hugs to all my sparkly friends.

your rewards will be great for sure with all you are doing to help .... talk about having a great family .... you all take care of your own for sure ..... keep up the momentum ... you sound so amazingly happy my friend .... Roc

Although it sounds like a lot of work, your kindness andattention will never be forgotten. Your aunt is very luckyto have so many people to help sort, box, clean andmove what is probably a lifetime of memories.Your body may be hurting but you will have a goodfeeling of accomplishment. You have earned yourrest tonight. HUGS!